Maintaining high oral hygiene levels is possible with the use of mouthwash and a toothbrush. However, to achieve near-perfect results, tongue cleaning should not be neglected. Moreover, tongue cleaning devices designed for this purpose not only help keep oral hygiene within ideal limits, but also contribute to the regular functioning of some vital functions for human health.
Why is Tongue Cleanliness Important?
Regular tongue cleaner use helps maintain oral and dental health. During the cleaning process, plaque buildup on the tongue surface, caused by food and smoking, is removed. Clinical studies on the importance of tongue cleaning also show that regular use helps eliminate problems such as bad breath and discoloration of the tongue.
By paying attention to tongue cleaning , you prevent the accumulation of bacteria on your taste buds. As a result, you can enjoy the taste of the food you eat much better. Moreover, since saliva production will be at an ideal level, the digestive process will occur exactly as it should.
Would you like to learn more about the benefits of using a tongue cleaner? Then you can check out our article titled " Tongue Cleaning: Why is Brushing Your Tongue Important?"
What is a tongue cleaner?
Foods and drinks consumed throughout the day, as well as smoking, lead to plaque and bacterial buildup on the tongue. A tongue scraper helps remove these buildups, making the tongue surface hygienic. This almost completely eliminates the risk of developing fungal infections over time. Therefore, these simple devices, also called tongue scrapers , are just as important as toothbrushes for those who take good care of their oral hygiene.
What are the different types of tongue cleaners?
Tongue scraper types are divided into three categories depending on where they are manufactured and their design features:
Metal Tongue Cleaner
Metal tongue scrapers are made of copper or steel to remove the acidic layer on the tongue. Stainless steel and copper tongue scrapers are produced in V, U, and T shapes to achieve ideal results quickly. V-shaped copper or steel tongue scrapers stand out for their ease of use. U-shaped models are preferred due to their lightness and low cost. T-shaped tongue scrapers are ideal for people with limited dexterity and children.
Tongue Cleaning Brushes
Among the products that those who care about oral health can use are tongue brushes. Similar in design to toothbrushes, the bristles of these products are engineered to perfectly clean the spaces in the tongue tissue. Moreover, they are manufactured using plastic and silicone materials. Thanks to this choice in production, tongue cleaners do not cause pressure on the papillae on the tongue surface like their copper-based counterparts. Therefore, they are considered the best tongue cleaning tool.
Toothbrushes with Tongue Cleaning Attachment
Some toothbrushes include a tongue cleaner attachment to help users enjoy a flawless oral care experience. Therefore, using such products eliminates the need to create an extra routine for tongue cleaning. Tongue cleaning can easily be done while brushing your teeth. Of course, to get ideal results, it's beneficial to replace toothbrushes with tongue cleaner attachments at regular intervals. You can find detailed information on this topic in our article titled " How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?" .
How to Use a Tongue Cleaner?
Using a tongue cleaner is extremely simple. You can easily clean your tongue by rubbing the cleaner from the back of your tongue to the front. However, you should be as gentle as possible. Also, you shouldn't start rubbing from the very back of your tongue. This can trigger the gag reflex, which is one of the most common side effects of tongue cleaners .
After the first scraping, rinse the device and proceed to the second stage. In the second stage, scraping begins from the middle. After scraping a few times, you will see that the surface of the tongue has returned to its original color. For ideal results, you can disinfect your mouth with mouthwash immediately after using the tongue cleaner . You can even maximize your oral hygiene by having regular dental cleanings. We have compiled all the details you need to know about this procedure performed by dentists under the heading " Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Cleaning" .
What is the purpose of a tongue cleaner?
The benefits of using a tongue cleaner are as follows:
- Dead cells, food particles, and bacteria are removed from the tongue.
- Because the debris that accumulates on the taste buds is cleaned away, flavors can be distinguished more easily.
- The likelihood of developing dental and gum problems decreases.
- The bad breath problem will disappear.
- Regular use of a tongue scraper contributes to the regular functioning of the digestive system.